Chocolate Sugar Cookies

Chocolate Sugar Cookies

Today I'm sharing my favorite chocolate sugar cookie recipe that is ideal for decorating. It contains no chemical leavening so it bakes up evenly for a perfectly smooth decorating surface. I use this recipe for decorating Christmas cookies, but they're also good sandwiched with a little buttercream.

In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, mix
the butter and sugar together until just incorporated. Do not over-mix at this stage,
or the cookies may spread while baking.

Add the egg and vanilla extract. Mix again on low speed,
stopping to scrape down the sides of the bowl intermittently as needed.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder
and salt. Add to the butter and egg
mixture. Mix on low speed until a dough
is formed and there are no longer any streaks of butter in the mixing bowl. The
dough will often clump around the paddle attachment while being mixed. This is
normal and a good sign that your dough is the right consistency.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Turn the dough out onto a sheet of wax paper and top with
a second sheet. Roll dough into an
oblong disc between the paper with a rolling pin. Transfer dough - wax paper and all - to a large cookie
sheet. Wrap the dough tightly onto the cookie sheet with plastic wrap and
refrigerate for 1 hour.

Remove top sheet
of wax paper and roll dough a little thinner.
It should not be sticky. You may
dust the surface lightly with flour if it is sticky, but not too much! You don’t want streaks of white flour baked onto
your pretty dark chocolate cookies.

Roll dough to a ¼-inch to ½ -inch thickness.

Cut out desired shapes from the dough and transfer to the
prepared baking sheet. Be careful not to stretch the cutout shapes or they will
be distorted after baking.

Refrigerate the cutouts for 30 minutes. This will help
the cookies maintain a crisp shape during baking.

Preheat the oven to 350°F.

Bake the cookies for 15 to 20 minutes.

Let cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes. Transfer to
a wire rack. Decorate the cookies when completely cooled.

604 comments
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You know, I feel like a dummy because I've never considered making -chocolate- sugar cookies before. This recipe is fantastic, and I will definitely have to try it out!

As for the ModCloth stuff, they always have the nicest things. While I wouldn't want to be selfish and try to pick something out for someone else from the store, all I can think about is how nice it would be an apron. It's a simple thing, but I don't have one, and I am notoriously messy. I'd definitely like the "If You Can't Stand the Hoot" apron. It's practical and cute!

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I love your blog- it perfectly pairs my two passions- food and photography. Your photographs are breathtaking. Thanks for this opportunity!

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I am completely in love with the Haute Hibiscus Apron, the Meow for Measuring Cups, the Peas Pass the Salt and Pepper, and the Scoops of Flower Measuring Spoons...I can't decide! Oh my gosh, SUCH cute stuff. Thank you for sharing this site, I had never been there before!

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My sister is majorly into baking and is working on building up her own supply of cooking utensils, I would love to get her the "Roy G. B-aker food prep set". I would also love to buy that set for another sister of mine who will be getting married in the spring. Personally I'd love one of the "Paw me a cup" tea sets for myself, they are adorable!zlittleonez@aol.com

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I absolutely love baking, and I would love to get the Roy G. B-aker Food Prep Set because I've been mixing my batter in chip bowls, and I would love to have a sturdy mixing bowl. I also adore the Cat Crazy Bottle Set so I will be able to make my own buttermilk and half and half.

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Grtz Linda(linda.oranje@denhaag.nl because I don't understand how to leave a comment without a google account or livejournal : )

OH MY GOD I LOVE MODCLOTH! I spend far too much money on their website, and they definitely have tons of cute kitchen stuff and clothing. I would love to have the culinary artist apron. I own an apron already but I never wear it even though I make a mess all the time. Maybe if it were cute like that one I would wear it!

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